FALL RIVER — The Fall River Housing Authority board is slated to discuss the controversial redevelopment of the Watuppa Heights housing project today.

The board is revisiting the issue after it declined to take action, during its last monthly meeting, to release a request for proposals to build a 50-unit low-income housing project. The project was authorized by the Department of Housing and Community Development but local leaders and city residents protested the scope of the plan.

Since then, Mayor Will Flanagan’s administration and the Fall River Office of Economic Development have submitted an alternative proposal to create 26 homes to be purchased by low-income eligible owners.

It’s a plan that mirrors the terms of a 2002 legislative act governing the redevelopment of the property.

“My advice (to the board) is do what is right for the community and follow the 2002 legislation,” Flanagan said. “It’s what the Legislature, the mayor, the City Council and the community supported, and that’s what we are asking them to do. Keep in mind what is best for the city.”

Whether the issue will be discussed in open session is in question, according to board Chairman Leonard Aguiar, with the redevelopment of Watuppa Heights possibly facing litigation.

At issue is a lawsuit brought against DHCD and the Housing Authority by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute in 2006 on behalf of the residents living in the housing project at the time.

The lawsuit was put aside after the parties agreed to a memorandum of understanding in 2009 with state officials and the housing authority on how to relocate some 50 families and replicate what had been 100 units of low-income housing, which is one of the criteria of the act.

The city has claimed that it has met the replication requirements.

Rep. Carole Fiola, D-Fall River, who has been involved in altering the plan for 50-low income units, said she hopes the housing board will not move ahead with its plan to release its RFP.

“We are in a good dialogue with DHCD for a second RFP, and there is absolutely no reason to take any action,” Fiola said.